In the deep crevices of my heart, I had attempted to bury a request I had longed for God to answer. Basically, I had concluded in my own reasoning the situation was hopeless. As the Holy Spirit continued to work in my heart, He brought me to a place of complete surrender to the entire matter, knowing with certainty that God was in control. Whatever He decided to do in and through the situation would be His call and for His glory. However, later, to my surprise, I discovered that, even though I had resigned myself to God answering my prayer, God was not finished with the matter.
Yesterday, while attending church, I recognized a compelling draw to pray over the situation. When I arrived home, I went before God with the request. With all my heart, I felt the liberty to petition Him to act on my behalf in the matter with strong confidence. I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed. What I had tried to bury, God resurrected with an intense call to beseech Him. He wanted me to be honest about what was in my heart. What did I want? He knew and I placed it before His throne room of grace. Yet, this time something was different. To be honest, many times before I had prayed with an unbelieving heart. Yet, when I prayed this past Sunday, I knew God was working. I knew my miracle was on its way.
Shortly after a long period of prayer, I came to 1 Kings 18 at the moment when Elijah prayed for rain. As I continued to read the passage, three words gripped my heart in a way I cannot explain. “Prepare your chariot.”
“Now Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.’ So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees. He said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ So he went up and looked and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And he said, ‘Go back’ seven times. It came about at the seventh time, that he said, ‘Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.’ And he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, “Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.”’ In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and outran Ahab to Jezreel” (1 Kings 18:41-46).
God had spoken earlier to Elijah, saying He would send rain. Elijah took God at His Word, prayed, and believed the miracle of rain would come—even when it appeared hopeless sight- wise. Note the following.
Elijah was Praying: Elijah took the matter before the Lord. Then, after a time of prayer, he made the following request of his servant: “Go up now, look toward the sea.” In other words, Elijah was asking, “Do you see anything that looks like rain approaching?”
What did the Servant See: The servant did as Elijah requested. He turned to see if any rain was in sight. He then replied to Elijah: “There is nothing.” Notice what Elijah did next. He did not say, “Oh well, I guess I missed it.” Nor did he pout or even doubt. Instead, he continued to pray.
Elijah did not stop praying or believing in the miracle: Seven times then Elijah requested the following from his servant: “Go back.” Note: Elijah refused to give up.
May I ask you a question? Are you willing to do battle in prayer? Are you willing to go back, and go back, and go back until God says yes, no, or wait?
Behold, the miracle: The servant did as Elijah asked. He went back seven times. The result: “It came about at the seventh time, that he said, ‘Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.’ And he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, “Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you”’” (1 Kings 18:44).
Elijah gave orders to “Prepare your chariot” before one drop of rain had fallen. He knew the rain was on its way.
Oftentimes, we give up praying before we give God a chance to intervene. We try to bury those requests deep in our soul, but God sees our hearts. He knows the desires we have. He knows the desperation of our requests and He longs to answer. What have you buried in the crevices of your heart? On what have you given up? Go back, start praying, go back, keep believing, go back, and listen to the voice of God. Then, “Prepare your chariot.”
